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The Attending Veterinarian's Duties

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The role of an attending veterinarian is much more comprehensive than providing

veterinary medical care to sick animals. They also provide important guidance to

help licensees and registrants keep their animals healthy. 
In general, an attending veterinarian’s duties include:

Providing each individual animal veterinary care that ensures its health and

well-being

Working with the facility to develop a program that covers all aspects of animal

health: communication with the veterinarian, disease monitoring and

prevention, husbandry, nutrition, provision of emergency care, employee

knowledge, and humane euthanasia

A written program of veterinary care is required for all facilities with a

part-time attending veterinarian or consultant arrangement. It is also

required for all dogs, regardless of the attending veterinarian’s schedule

with the facility. (NOTE: there are specific requirements regarding the

written program for dogs.)

Conducting regular visits to the premises

Visits should occur as often as necessary to ensure that the attending

veterinarian is aware of the conditions of the animals and facilities; and

has the information needed to ensure the provision of adequate veterinary

care and to oversee the adequacy of animal care and use. Visits to

facilities with dogs must occur no less than once every 12 months.

Additional site visits may be necessary for disease outbreaks; ill or injured

animals; training of caretakers, or for the proper introduction of new

animals.

Animals in need of care may be taken to the clinic or practice of the

attending veterinarian. These visits do not replace the need for regularly

scheduled visits to the premises of the licensee or registrant.

The attending veterinarian is also responsible for overseeing and approving

additional practices for certain covered species and at research facilities.

Dogs and Cats

Facilities require approval from their attending veterinarian to house unacclimated

or thermal intolerant dogs or cats in indoor/sheltered temperatures below 50°F or in

outdoor environments. This includes animals that are sick, very young, geriatric,

short haired, or of breeds that are known to be intolerant of prevalent temperature

extremes.
See regulatory sections 3.2(a), 3.3(a), 3.4(a)(1) for more details

For Dogs Only

(The definition of dogs includes any dog-hybrid cross.)

A written exercise plan must be approved by the attending veterinarian.

The requirement for exercise may be met by providing:

Individually housed dogs with at least 2 times the required floor space

Group housing dogs with at least 100% the required floor space for

each dog, OR

Regular exercise at a frequency, method, and duration as determined

by the attending veterinarian

The attending veterinarian may exempt a dog from the exercise plan due

to their health, condition, or well-being.

See regulatory section 3.8 for more details

Written program of veterinary care

See The written program of veterinary care or How does the new Licensing Rule

affect veterinary care for dogs?. Also see regulatory section 3.13(a). NOTE: the

attending veterinarian is required to sign and date the written program of

veterinary care for dogs.

Annual physical exams

See regulatory section 3.13(a) for more details

Medical records

See regulatory sections 3.13(b) and 3.13(c) for more details

Nonhuman Primates

The attending veterinarian has the authority to determine appropriate

temperatures and humidity for primate housing and whether primates are

sufficiently acclimated for outdoor housing.

See regulatory sections 3.76, 3.77, and 3.78 for more details

The attending veterinarian provides direction on a plan for environment

enhancement to promote psychological well-being. Facilities are required to

develop a plan that addresses:

Social grouping

Environmental enrichment

Special considerations for certain nonhuman primates
Restraint devices

Exemptions

The attending veterinarian may exempt individual nonhuman primates from

participation in the environment enhancement plan for their health or wellbeing. Exemptions must be documented and reviewed every 30 days unless

permanent.

The attending veterinarian will also make determinations or provide direction

regarding:

compatibility of socially housed primates

housing a nonhuman primate where it is unable to see or hear other

nonhuman primates

isolation of nonhuman primates with a contagious disease

special attention provided to nonhuman primates that meet one or more

of the criteria for special considerations

See regulatory section 3.81 for more details

Animal Care has developed a form to facilitate documenting the Environment

Enhancement Plan for nonhuman primates (258.72 KB). The form is for your

convenience and is not required. Other means of documenting the Environment

Enhancement Plan are also acceptable.

Animal Care Aids

Approval from the attending veterinarian is required for restriction of water for

nonhuman primates and the withholding of food or water for nonhuman

primates during transport by a carrier or intermediate handler.

See regulatory sections 3.83 and 3.86(c) for more details

Marine Mammals

Any variance requests for marine mammals must include a statement from the

attending veterinarian concerning the age, health status, and whether the

variance would be detrimental to the marine mammals involved.

See regulatory section 3.100 (b) for more details

The attending veterinarian must justify, in writing, housing marine mammals in

enclosures that are smaller than required for medical treatment, training,

breeding or holding for more than 2 weeks or for transfer for more than 1 week.

See regulatory sections 3.104 (a) and 3.110 (b) for more details

The attending veterinarian may direct a facility to feed a marine mammal less

than once per day.

See regulatory section 3.105 (a) for more details
Inappetence exceeding 24 hours must be reported immediately to the

attending veterinarian.

See regulatory section 3.105 (c) for more details

Insecticides or other such chemical agents must not be applied in primary

enclosures housing marine mammals except when deemed essential by an

attending veterinarian.

See regulatory section 3.107 (d) for more details

Single housing of social marine mammals is prohibited, except when the

attending veterinarian, in consultation with the husbandry/training staff,

determines that it is necessary for a marine mammal’s health or well-being.

See regulatory section 3.109 for more details

The attending veterinarian determines when newly acquired marine mammals

may be housed with resident animals.

See regulatory section 3.110 (a) for more details

Any marine mammal exposed to a contagious animal must be evaluated by the

attending veterinarian and monitored and/or isolated for an appropriate period

of time as determined by the attending veterinarian.

See regulatory section 3.110 (c) for more details

All marine mammals must be visually examined by the attending veterinarian

at least semiannually and all cetaceans and sirenians must be physically

examined by the attending veterinarian at least annually. These examinations

must include, but are not limited to, a hands-on physical examination,

hematology and blood chemistry, and other diagnostic tests as determined by

the attending veterinarian.

See regulatory section 3.110 (f) for more details

A complete necropsy must be conducted by or under the supervision of the

attending veterinarian on all marine mammals that die in captivity.

See regulatory section 3.110 (g) for more details

The attending veterinarian also makes determinations associated with

transportation and care in transport for marine mammals

See regulatory section 3.112, 3.115, and 3.116 for more details

Exotic Mammals, Including Hoofstock

Pens or runs using gravel, sand, or dirt, shall be sanitized when necessary as

directed by the attending veterinarian.

See regulatory section 3.131 (b) for more details

Research Facilities
The attending veterinarian will provide consultation on procedures that may

cause more than momentary or slight pain or distress to the animals

See regulatory section 2.31 (d) for more details

The housing, feeding, and nonmedical care of the animals will be directed by

the attending veterinarian or other scientist trained and experienced in the

proper care, handling, and use of the species being maintained or studied

See regulatory section 2.31 (d) for more details

The attending veterinarian shall serve as a voting member of the Institutional

Animal Care and Use Committee, or they may delegate this responsibility to

another veterinarian employed at the research facility

See regulatory section 2.33 (a)(3) for more details